St. Pete’s Promise a New Strategic Partnership for Youth

As the community prepares to begin a new school year, Mayor Bill Foster, Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego and Pinellas Education Foundation Chairman Jim Myers have announced a new strategic partnership, called St. Pete’s Promise.

The announcement was made at City Hall with Mayor Foster presenting the Foundation with a check for more than $41,000 from city employees. The new, multi-faceted initiative expands upon the former Mayor’s Mentors and More program that in the past 12 years has given 1,150 St. Pete students Take Stock in Children scholarships totaling $13.5 million.

“St. Pete’s Promise will include recruiting and training mentors from our city, our citizens, and our businesses; raising funds for college scholarships for low-income students; advocating for more legislative and community support of our schools and teachers; providing grants for our outstanding teachers; and building close working relationships with Pinellas County Schools and our community partners like the Pinellas Education Foundation to ensure that education in St. Petersburg is the best it can be,” Mayor Foster stated.

As part of the new strategy, programs such as the Foundation’s Take Stock in Children Scholarship program, teacher classroom grants and other career education initiatives will be used. In addition, the Mayor’s Top Apple Award and Corporate Partner program will also be included under the St. Pete’s Promise umbrella.

“This partnership, which unites the efforts of the school district, the city of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Education Foundation, is a tremendous opportunity for our children and families,” Grego said. “The St. Pete’s Promise initiative will provide our students, who are our most precious resource, with greatly expanded avenues for achieving their dreams.”

St. Pete’s Promise is a partnership endeavor in the effort to bridge the achievement gap and impact the education of every public school student in St. Petersburg.